Irvin Shaw, "Young Lions": summary and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Many writers tell in their works about the events, eyewitnesses and direct participants of which they happened to become. This is how Irwin Shaw's novel The Young Lions was born. In his book, the author tells about the events that happened during the Second World War. It is known that he himself took part in it as a war correspondent.

What Irvine Shaw's The Young Lions is about

So, what is this piece about? Readers are presented with interrelated stories of people whose youth fell on the period of the Second World War. Irvine Shaw's The Young Lions tells the story of the misfortunes of the Jew Noah Ackerman, the German Christian Distl and the American Michael Whitacre. The fates of the characters are intertwined, and this happens in the most bizarre way.

All the events that the author tells about, he saw and experienced himself. The novel was completed in 1948.

Main characters

The piece "Young Lions" by Irvine Shawintroduces readers to the following key characters.

• Christian Distl. That is the name of a young German, who at first causes only sympathy. The hero goes through almost the entire war. He does not doubt the victory of Germany, he is convinced that he is obliged to serve in the army and fight for the greatness of his native country. Gradually the hero changes, his life attitudes become less and less attractive.
• Noah Ackerman. This is the name given to a young Jew born and raised in the United States. The father of the character was an unlucky person, he passed away early. Noah is constantly humiliated because of his nationality. However, his character is only tempered, he becomes stronger.
• Michael Whitacre. Another important character is an American actor and playwright. He leads a luxurious life, spends his time on entertainment. Everything changes when Michael ends up in the army against his will. At first, he strongly resists change, but over time he turns into a real soldier.

Before World War II

Should I or shouldn't I read The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw? A summary will help you understand. The first pages of the work are devoted to events that take place a few years before the Second World War. Christian Distl is still working as a ski instructor. He meets a young American woman, Margarita, and shares his opinion with her about Hitler's course. Christian in conversation fully supports the ideas of the dictator, including the possible oppression of the Jews. He believes that every inhabitant of his country should do everythingpossible for the greatness of Germany.

Noah Ackermann's father dies in his arms. An emigrant from Odessa leaves his young son in poverty. In search of a better life, Noah moves from a small town to New York. There he meets a guy named Roger, who becomes his close friend. A friend helps Ackerman find a job and introduces him to a girl named Hope.

Michael Whitacre leads a luxurious life in Hollywood. High earnings allow him to satisfy any of his desires. But the hero no longer has a goal in life. When his wife leaves him, he starts an affair with Margarita.

After the outbreak of World War II

What happens in The Young Lions by Irving Shaw when World War II begins? Christian takes part in the occupation of Paris. German troops take possession of the capital of France easily and almost bloodlessly, which makes them dream of a "real" war. Distl reflects on how to distinguish himself and benefit his native country. During a trip to Berlin, he meets the young beauty Gretchen, the wife of his commander. Christian falls in love with her, and she subordinates him to her will, forcing him to give her expensive gifts. Distl then returns to Paris and then departs with his unit for Africa. The hero falls into the thick of it, gets seriously injured and realizes how small the price of human life is.

Noah marries a girl named Hope, who was introduced to him by his friend Roger. Then hetries to enlist in the army, but does not pass the medical examination. Ackerman masters a civilian speci alty, works in the field of shipbuilding. His life begins to improve, but then he is drafted into the army, where his colleagues begin to mock him. Noah, tired of the attacks of his opponents, challenges them to a fist duel. To his own detriment, he manages to win, forcing others to treat him with respect.

The third key character in the book "Young Lions" Michael goes to the army against his will. He gets into the same unit with Ackerman, gets close to him. Whitacre takes pity on Noah, but is unable to help him.

Further developments

Christian is gradually turning into an experienced soldier, able to cope with any task. He easily takes human lives, commits crimes against morality. Murders, denunciations, perjury - the hero is ready for anything to remain safe and sound.

Michael manages to secure a transfer to London, where he takes over the organization of entertainment in the troops. The hero never manages to understand the meaning of the war and his role in it. Noah grows up, learns to survive, well fulfills the orders of his superiors. He lands with his colleagues in Normandy, undergoes severe trials and is wounded. Then Ackerman meets with Michael, after which they join the old company together and fight in its composition until the spring of 1945.

Of the three main characters in The Young Lions, only one manages to survive all the horrors of war. Michael stays alivewhile Noah and Christian perish at the very end. Before that, fate brings the heroes together. Distle is in a prison camp that Ackerman and Whitacre are involved in liberating. Christian kills Noah in a shootout and then himself killed by Michael.

Criticism

How was The Young Lions book received by the public? Reviews from professional critics were generally positive. The plausibility and scope of the novel were noted. Also, many drew attention to the brilliant writing style of Irving Shaw. Authoritative publications included the work in the list of American bestsellers in 1948.

Critic Jonathan Yardley was delighted with the novel. In 2009, he published a note listing The Young Lions as one of the four most epic American war stories of the post-war era. Next to it he put "From Here to Eternity", "Riot on the Kane" and "The Naked and the Dead".

The work was also included in the list of 1000 books that everyone should read, compiled by the British edition of The Guardian.

Reader Opinion

Did readers like The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw? Reviews indicate that it often leaves a positive impression than a negative one. Many find the book extraordinary, realistic, believable and exciting. Readers are not left indifferent to the dramatic destinies of the characters, they enjoy the magnificent style of the author.

Reviews are often foundalso opinions on the basic meaning of the novel. According to many readers, The Irwin Shaw shows three different stories of the war. The characters change as events unfold. Christian Distl makes a pleasant impression at the very beginning, but then loses his human appearance. Weak and shy Noah Ackerman gradually turns into a strong and courageous person. Michael, the only surviving hero, only realizes what it means to be a soldier at the very end.

Irvin Shaw also pays a lot of attention to the true face of war. Some make fortunes and break other people's destinies, while others are ready to sacrifice themselves for the sake of humanity.

Screening

The novel "Young Lions" The show turned out to be so successful that the question of its film adaptation could not but arise. In 1958, Edward Dmitryk took on this task. The director entrusted key roles to Marlon Brando, Dean Martin and Montgomery Clift. The film was nominated for an Oscar three times. The film also received a number of other prestigious awards.

Interestingly, the writer himself did not like the adaptation of his work. First of all, Shaw did not like the fact that significant changes were made to the script of the film.